This twenty-two-acre beachside property, located just east of Ocho Rios and two hours from the nearest major international airport in Montego Bay, is one of those mega-sized all-inclusive vacation meccas that promises to provide everything to all families. And, in the case of Beaches Ocho Rios Resort and Golf Club, it’s a promise that’s been more than fulfilled.
The resort (part of the Sandals family of resorts) is an entity unto itself, with two hundred and twenty-three rooms and suites spaced over numerous buildings on a stretch of Jamaica’s north coast predominantly populated with apartment dwellings and fishing communities. Many families will never leave the Beaches site during their holidays because of the abundance of entertainment, dining, sports, and water-related activities available.
What We Love About Beaches Ocho Rios
- For children aged 10 and under, there is a Kids Camp that is open twelve hours a day.
- Provides all-inclusive prices.
- The resort’s enormous seaside amusement zone, Pirates Island Water Park, with eleven waterslides, is a pleasure for kids.
- Breakfast with characters from Sesame Street.
- Services for babysitting are offered.
What We Don’t Like About Beaches Ocho Rios
- Some online reviewers have expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the appliances in their rooms.
- The majority of the balconies are shared by multiple rooms.
- There isn’t much in the way of Jamaican cuisine at the resort.
- The noise from the pools and restaurants might be pretty loud in some of the rooms.
- Certain restaurants and water activities require advanced reservations.
Packages and Cost
Pinpointing pricing for your stay at Beaches Ocho Rios is a bit complicated, as this massive resort’s accommodations are split up into three villages and boasts eighteen different types of rooms– all of which have very different prices depending on the season. The Caribbean Deluxe Family-Sized Room, for example, is located on the upper floors of the main structure and is the most basic (i.e. cheapest) of accommodations, with views of the gardens and mountains.
The rooms have either a king or two double beds, as well as a living room with a couch bed, and can sleep up to five people. The Greek Beachfront Concierge Terrace Suite, on the other hand, are beautiful, luxurious accommodations that are spread out over two floors in the oceanfront Lanai Building.
The rooms only sleep four people, with two double beds and a double sleeper sofa in the lounge area. The ocean can also be seen from the terraces. Your hotel selection is determined by your budget, whether you are there for a honeymoon or a family holiday, and other factors.
Features & Benefits
Amenities
Amenities at Beaches Ocho Rios include: The French Village, with its excellent French vibe, a spa, new restaurants, and a relaxing pool; the Greek Village, the first of its kind in the Beaches brand, nestled into a panoramic hill with three levels named after the famous Greek islands; and the Caribbean Village, which surrounds the resort’s main pool and the Pirate’s Island Waterpark.
Free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and other Sandals Beaches amenities are available according to the package you choose for your stay.
Family Activities
The Kids’ Camp, located on a small hill near the hotel’s entrance, is a sparkling clean and modern facility for children aged ten and under. It has numerous rooms, including the Tiny Town Nursery, which has soft sponged flooring and a plethora of toys for children up to the age of four, as well as a chill-out area with books and cushions for children aged five to seven.
A Survivor Camp area features craft tables and a sort of indoor amphitheater where older kids can relax and watch movies, attend birthday parties, or connect with Sesame Street characters that appear on a regular basis. The area is supervised for twelve hours a day by nannies, and the indoor activities are mixed with age-appropriate outside activities such as dances on the surrounding lawn and outings to the pool for the older crowd.
Outside of the resort, there are plenty of family-friendly activities. One of its most iconic attractions is Dunn’s River Falls, a cascading waterfall that invites adventurous souls to climb its terraced limestone tiers while being enveloped by lush tropical foliage. Mystic Mountain offers a different kind of thrill with its rainforest bobsled ride and scenic chairlift, providing panoramic views of the coastline. History and culture come alive at the Bob Marley Mausoleum, where visitors can explore the life and legacy of the legendary reggae musician. For marine enthusiasts, Dolphin Cove offers the opportunity to swim with dolphins and interact with other marine life. Whether indulging in the local cuisine, shopping for handicrafts at the Ocho Rios Craft Park, or simply relaxing on its inviting beaches, many attractions in Ocho Rios capture the essence of Jamaica’s charm and allure.
For Mom and Dad
You can schedule a private candlelit beach meal for just the two of you by a gazebo on the resort’s beach if you’re celebrating a special event or simply having a babysitter for the night. On a rooftop balcony facing the sea in a corner of the resort, exclusive vineyard dinners can also be organized.
Dining Options
Every week, a Sesame Street character breakfast is served for family eating. There’s also an informal barbeque park beside the main pool for a quick bite to eat. There are no adult-only eateries on the premises. The majority of the kiddie menu items are chicken fingers, hamburgers, and mac & cheese, but chefs will accommodate unique requests if you let them know ahead of time.
At all of the resort’s dining establishments, high chairs are easily available, and the staff will swiftly come over with crayons and paper to keep the kids occupied. Neptune’s, The Venetian, La Parisienne, Bayside Restaurant, BBQ Park, Josephine’s Creperie, and Bella Napoli Pizzeria are among the restaurants.
Room Information
Beaches Ocho Rios has around 223 rooms, making Ocho Rios the smallest Beaches resort. There are a variety of room types to choose from, and they are suitable for families of various sizes. The fact that most of the accommodations face the ocean, albeit some do not, is something one would appreciate about this resort.
Every room also appears to be close to everything. The accommodations aren’t the most modern or up-to-date, but they are clean, pleasant, and conveniently located near the beach.
Alternatives to Beaches Ocho Rios
Iberostar Grand Rose Hall vs Beaches Ocho Rios
The Iberostar Grand Rose Hall, the best of the three Iberostar resorts in Montego Bay, is a 295-room all-suite hotel that is lightyears ahead of its competitors in terms of decor, food, and services.
While some amenities are shared with the less expensive Iberostar Rose Hall Beach and Iberostar Rose Hall Suites, guests at the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall have first dibs on all of the resorts’ restaurants, bars, pools, and beaches. This resort’s rates are considerably more than those at Beaches Ocho Rios.
Beaches Negril vs Beaches Ocho Rios
Beaches Negril Resort & Spa is a wonderful property with a large choice of activities, classes, and events for families with children and teenagers. Children will enjoy the water park, kids’ camp, teen hangouts, and special activities, while adults will appreciate the spa and candlelit dining for two.
The largest of the contemporary rooms has ocean views and can accommodate up to twelve people. Although Beaches Negril is a little more opulent than Beaches Ocho Rios, both are equally pleasant and enjoyable.
Atlantis Bahamas vs Beaches Ocho Rios
While the Atlantis Bahamas is a popular resort, it has received some bad reviews on the internet. The rooms are modest, according to online reviews, and many of the suites are located far from the beach.
The rooms at Beaches Ocho Rios are mostly within walking distance of the beach. Both resorts are notorious for their rather outdated rooms, but with gorgeous views and easy access to resort amenities, we have to give Beaches Ocho Rios the benefit of the doubt.
Conclusion
While this Beaches location is by far the least priced and has the fewest amenities, it is a fantastic choice for families looking for a low-cost holiday. It’s not as large as the other properties, and there aren’t as many amenities, but it’s still a fantastic vacation spot. It’s also the least expensive of the three resorts!
At Beaches Ocho Rios, you can see the ocean almost everywhere you go. There are also several accommodations with ocean views. Because the resort is built on a hill, there are vistas from every direction. This location is unbeatable, especially for the price.
FAQs About Beaches Ocho Rios
Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay is the most commonly used airport. Kingston Airport is a further-away option if needed. Look for the Sandals or Beaches desk or lounge when you arrive at Montego International Airport, which is conveniently located directly outside the Immigration and Customs section. Beaches will arrange your complimentary transportation to and from the resort.
The resort is set on a hilltop with views of a stunning cove beach. Beaches in many places of Jamaica do not have long, wide stretches of sand. Many are little coves, many of which may be seen on Ocho Rios Beaches.
To travel to any of the Beaches destinations, all U.S. citizens and residents will need a valid passport. Please check for any additional documentation needs if you are a citizen of any country. The United States and Canada do not require visas to enter Jamaica, therefore a passport is all that is required to visit Ocho Rios.
The Beaches Ocho Rios resort is roughly one hour and 45 minutes from Sangster International Airport, and two hours from Kingston Airport.
